Why Moving to the City Was Good for My Mental Health

Just less than a week ago, I moved from a small country town into a bustling city. Since then I have set out to expand my small social circle by making new friends. Here are some reasons why the city environment is good for me:

1. The city is a more controllable environment.

With more streets, more cafeterias and more options for things to do, I can control my level of stimulation and interaction on a daily basis. I am happier, more relaxed and I am enjoying my life more than I was in the country town I moved from.

2. The city offers more variety in potential friends.

More people means more choices. In my old town, I really did not have a lot of choices in who I socialized with. With this comes the ability to find friends who won’t reject me due to my illnesses and will be more supportive than critical.

3. The city has more variety of culture.

I love culture. For me, culture lets me find the place I want to be in the moment. From day to day, I enjoy finding new spots that are unfamiliar to me. Be it a new Chinese diner or a German bar, I find comfort in traveling through local culture. This helps my depression and my anxiety in phenomenal ways.

4. The city has better medical options.

In a bigger place, I get more choices regarding medical providers. Though I adore the team I had in Oregon, I feel I have more viable choices for my treatment here. Being in the city also opens doors to treatments I may not have encountered before, treatments that may be the right step towards stronger recovery.

5. In the city I have sweet, sweet freedom.

This move has given me one very important thing for my personal recovery. It has given me freedom. In Oregon, I was pretty much stuck at home unless I convinced someone to lend me their vehicle or got a ride. Here, I can catch a bus and go anywhere. This has helped my illnesses so much because I can change my surroundings whenever I need to.

6. The city is quiet.

I am aware most people associate the city with being loud and busy. It is. But it is also quiet and secluded. No one has time to pry into who you are and why. It allows me to find awesome places where I am left alone and the quiet is amazing.

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